Abstract:
This chapter examines the history and development of early childhood education with particular focus on policy and curriculum, from the early 20th century to 2008. It tracks the roots of early childhood from the voluntary, charitable sector embedded in a welfare discourse to its current position as a unique sector of education attracting significant public funding and government regulation. The chapter argues that the care and education of very young children as a newly emerged professional activity with attendant curricula and policy has had some surprising implications for families and society. This chapter is part of text book that is used widely in policy papers in Faculty of Education. It is also used for similar courses at other institutions, for example, Auckland University of Technology.